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Thousands in Taiwan Protest Talks With China

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Tens of thousands of opposition supporters marched through Taiwan’s capital on Saturday to protest a scheduled visit by a senior Chinese envoy, saying the trip was part of Chinese efforts to assert control over the self-ruled island.

The protesters, many wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan “Defend Taiwan,” also accused Taiwan’s president, Ma Ying-jeou, of making too many concessions and moving too fast in relaxing restrictions on trade and investment with China.

“The government has not done enough to protect our own interests when opening up to China,” said Karin Hsieh, a protester.

The rally, organized by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, blasted Mr. Ma’s efforts to seek stronger ties with the mainland since he took office in May. His predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, pursued an anti-China and pro-independence policy.

Mr. Chen joined Saturday’s march, which snaked for several miles through Taipei.

Under Mr. Ma’s initiative, Taiwan and China resumed talks in June following a hiatus of almost 10 years. The second round of high-level talks, denounced by the opposition, is to be held in Taipei in early November by Chen Yunlin, chairman of China’s semiofficial Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, and his Taiwanese counterpart, Chiang Pin-kung.

A visit by the Chinese official’s deputy, Zhang Mingqing, this past week to prepare for the talks was marred by a clash with pro-independence supporters in southern Taiwan. Mr. Zhang was pushed to the ground by a small number of protesters, who shouted, “Taiwan does not belong to China.”

Taiwanese officials say the discussions with Chen Yunlin will be limited to economic issues, including the introduction of direct cargo flights and an expansion of current weekend passenger flights to daily service. On Friday, Mr. Ma said the talks would highlight the equality of Taiwan and China.

“We will safeguard Taiwan’s interests and we will see to it that Taiwan’s sovereignty or dignity will not be harmed,” he said.

China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to claim the island as part of its territory and has threatened to attack if Taiwan moves to formalize independence.

A version of this article appears in print on , on page A11 of the National edition with the headline: Thousands in Taiwan Protest Talks With China. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe